need some advise please

[macster]

hi all im new to the home brew scene and like everything i do i have gone in at the deep end and decided to do a larger for my first attempt at homebrew

now i have done alot of research into brewing lager and as a result i have aquired a freezer and themostat. i was all set up and ready to roll but the lager kit i have been sent ( sheraton premium beer kit... pilsner lager ) the instructions clearly state to keep the temp at 65-70 farenheit 18-21 degrees celcius . this clearly contradicts everything i have read about lagering and am now very confused as it has thrown all my plans out the window as i now need a heater instead of a freezer lol . should i return the kit and if so any reccomendations on a good lager kit ? plz help

[podge1]

think it means 18-21 when it is fermenting
needs to be cooler once you have bottled i think mate
new to this myself but found coopers aussie lager to be nice

[Jerry Cornelius]

I'm new to all this as well, and I have never brewed a lager, but from what I've read I guess that it's down to the supplied yeast - which may well be an ale yeast. It might be an idea to buy a lager specific yeast - which ferments at lower temperatures...

[mickhew]

Hello. Jerry's right.
I've looked into Lager myself, then decided to stick with Bitter, easier ! Lots of manufacturers send the Lager kits out with Ale yeast, so that it's a bit easier for home brewers to maintain that kind of temperature (18-21). Lager yeasts ferment at a lower temperature and more slowly (around 3 weeks I've read). Other than that contribution my knowledge ends there ! Have you Googled "lagering" ? That's the term that's used a lot .

[Lillywhite]

I've looked into Lager myself, then decided to stick with Bitter, easier!

A man of taste.

[Mogwyth]

I'm new to all this as well, and I have never brewed a lager, but from what I've read I guess that it's down to the supplied yeast - which may well be an ale yeast. It might be an idea to buy a lager specific yeast - which ferments at lower temperatures...

Yep I have just checked a Coopers Old Dark, Stout & Lager, identical yeast pkt in all three. Not that I am overly bothered, the lager is for the youngsters in the family when we have summer bbqs and they have no taste anyway

[macster]

thanx for the advise folks i decided to start the kit using the beer yeast and already it is smelling like lager so i think its going to be fine but because i have gone to the bother of getting a lager set up i do defo want a kit that comes with a lager yeast for my next attempt . any suggestions plz for a specific kit that will come with a lager yeast or should i just invest in some lager yeast and swich it for the beer yeast ?

[brysie]

hi mac

i reckon youd be fine just whacking a lager yeast in your next kit and brew at the lower temp suggested.
im a bit behind you with the fridge idea as ive been trying to build up a bit of a stock of wherry, but my fv`s will be free this weekend.